Fixing" Health - Starts With Choic

How often have you said, "I know I should, but..."? How often do we continue with self-destructive behavior? What do you do when you see someone else, someone you love, being self-destructive?

Acknowledging our self-truth is the first step to healing. We need to be clear about whether we are dealing with a true addiction or an attachment, and then seek the right kind of help for it. We must take responsibility for ourselves... but we cannot take responsibility for someone else. The exception would be a child under your care. Adults, by definition, have freedom of choice. There are strategies, "interventions", that have been developed to deal with alcoholics or drug addicts that can help people make the choice to change before they harm themselves, yet it is still their choice.

I learned the hard way that I could not "fix" my family. My father died of a heart attack at age 62. My brother had a stroke at age 57. Based on their risk factors, I will probably outlive both my siblings. What is worse, their choices may well result in decades of struggle with diminished quality of life. But I / we have to remember, we all have a choice. They are chosing their own health future. I may dread the outcome; it remains their choice.

Please do not call me to "fix" your husband or daughter or friend. They will not benefit from the incredibly effective mental strategies I could teach them to help make behavior change easy. They will not try the small simple steps that could make incredibly effective differences in their health. They will not even try to taste the wonderful flavors of fabulous food that also happens to be healthy. Until they will stand up off the couch or pick up the phone themselves, I cannot help them until they wish to help themselves.

On the other hand, you who are reading this are open to at least thinking about your health. You, I can work with. I can help someone move from contemplation to preparation and from preparation to effective action. You, I want talk to. So call me if I can help -- you!

Yours in Health,

Dr Diane Longstreet, The Lifestyle Doctor

DrLongstreet@HealthAchievement.com 813-960-9026